Teaching English as a Foreign Language in New Zealand

A Stunning Landscape to Explore Outside of Class

By Terrie Chilvers

Because of the recent drop in the number of Asian students traveling to New Zealand for study, there are fewer opportunities at the moment for TEFL. However, such trends can change quickly. Email a few prospective
employers in advance to determine the state of the market.

Most TEFL teaching jobs are in the three main cities of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. If you are on a budget, consider which areas of the country you will want to visit in your time off. Basing yourself
close to these areas can save you a lot on travel costs.

Vacancies advertised on the Web tend to fill quickly, so it’s advisable to email your CV to teaching institutions speculatively. Your application will then be held on file. Many language schools keep a
list of teachers on a “relief list” to call on to fill unexpected vacancies. Don’t hesitate to give a follow-up call upon your arrival. Although there may be no vacancies, it pays to remind them that you are available
to work.

The New Zealand academic year begins in February; the busiest periods are from February to May and July to December. Hourly rates range from NZ$25 to NZ$40 per hour, depending on where you’re teaching
and the size of your class. Many institutions offer private tuition to their students, and this is an excellent way to earn some extra cash. The cost of living in New Zealand is modest and it’s easy to save money for leisure and
travel while meeting the costs of everyday life.

If you don’t already have a supply of textbooks and grammar reference books, don’t worry about stocking up before you leave home. Most bookstores in New Zealand have a wide range of English language
coursebooks and materials. Most teaching institutions will also have a collection of books and materials that you can use. Don’t forget to join your public library; this way you can take out books that you might need for a longer
period.

It’s also wise to take along a few copies of your CV so you can hit the ground running. A few successful lesson plans will not go amiss either: don’t underestimate the time it takes to plan lessons
once you become a busy teacher; any previously prepared work will be priceless.

For More Info

New Zealand provides a stunning backdrop for teaching English and a beautiful landscape to explore outside of class time. The list of websites below will help you get started in your job hunt.